CH 20

Park Geon-ho and I went back and forth between the west and the north, scattering iron balls at the monsters. The monsters, whose huge bodies shook in pain, buried themselves in the sand little by little to avoid the explosions, and before long most monsters disappeared into the sand.

“I didn’t…”

The sand that the monsters had crawled in bulged as it moved.

“I didn’t expect this.”

“They’re not S-grade for nothing. Things got complicated.”

Park Geon-ho frowned.

The monsters that went into the sand were slower than before, but they were steadily moving forward towards the team. With monsters popping out of the sand in front of the team who was already distracted by the battle…

I returned the remaining iron balls to Park Geon-ho and said, “We’d better go back. It would be better to go and check if the situation is okay, and point out the locations of the monsters that hid in the sand.”

After seeing Park Geon-ho nodding, we immediately turned and headed towards the team members. The team members in full swing could be seen through the sandstorm that obscured the view. Fortunately, they were holding up well and there was no distraction in the ranks. Over the piled up monster corpses, monsters from the south and from the east were constantly rushing in.

Kyaaaak! Kkiii!

The east monster’s body was cut in half by the sword burning red with the blood fire ability. Cheon Sa-yeon, who cut down monsters with neat movements, was surrounded by hot flames all around. The monster that rushed at him burned and turned to ashes without even getting close.

As I approached Cheon Sa-yeon, I could feel a heat so strong that it was difficult to keep my eyes open. A cold sweat formed on my exhausted body from using my abilities.

“Master.”

Kkiiii, kkiik! Kkyaaak!

Numerous monsters that had caught on fire twisted their bodies and screamed loudly. Cheon Sa-yeon, who was standing in the middle, lowered his sword at my call and turned his head. After dropping Park Geon-ho to the ground, I moved a little closer to Cheon Sa-yeon.

“Did you finish things up?”

“That…”

I pondered for a moment on how to explain. Although the momentum was good, the result was not satisfactory.

“South and east were not very good, meanwhile west and north were half finished, but the rest hid in the sand.”

“In the sand. So it might appear suddenly from under our feet.”

I bit my lips. The team was holding up better than I thought, but there were still a lot of monsters left. Maybe we backed down too easily in the south and east. Even if it was dangerous, I should have tried to attack more.

Inevitably, I felt regret. I felt sorry for the guild members who were tangled with monsters, wielding weapons and fighting fiercely with their abilities.

“Come closer, Han Yi-gyeol,” Cheon Sa-yeon said to me while I was wondering whether I should tell Park Geon-ho to go back. I lifted my downcast gaze and looked at him.

The fire that had been burning as if it would engulf everything that came near had already faded. The surrounding air, which was too hot to breathe, had also become better. I slowly walked towards Cheon Sa-yeon.

Smiling as he watched me approaching, Cheon Sa-yeon soon took off his red suit jacket and put it over my head.

“…what is this?”

I was dumbfounded by the unexpected behaviour. Cheon Sa-yeon said with a deft smile, “What do you mean ‘what’? I’m taking care of the rest.”

Then he lifted me up. Surprised by my suddenly light body, I grabbed him by the shoulder with both hands.

“Wa-wait a minute…!”

Cheon Sa-yeon touched my buttocks with his lower arm and my thighs were held in his hand. Cheon Sa-yeon’s face, which could only be seen if he raised his head, became incredibly close. Terrified, I grabbed Cheon Sa-yeon’s shoulder, stretched out my arms and pushed my upper body back. (Kinda like this pic below)

“Crazy, what kind of pose…!”

“Calm down.”

As the flames subsided, Cheon Sa-yeon held my thighs tighter as he cut down the monsters that rushed in.

“I’d love to hold you like a princess in a fairy tale, but I have to swing my sword… I can’t help it. You should be satisfied with this.”

What the hell are you talking about?

“I’d rather be on your back!”

“What if a monster attacks from behind? Are you trying to take my place? What a great shield you are.”

“That’s…”

Unable to find a proper answer, Cheon Sa-yeon bent his eyes and smiled brightly as he licked his lips.

“That jacket is an A-class fire-resistance item, so you wear it well. It’ll be difficult for you if you don’t.”

“……”

Let’s endure this. Now is not the time to be ashamed. They say to endure three times is enough to avoid murder.

‘Don’t think, don’t think… fuck.’

I muttered swear words that only Cheon Sa-yeon could hear while leaning on him. As I relaxed my body, Cheon Sa-yeon raised the firepower again and said, “Team Leader Park Geon-ho, go back to your original position and participate in the battle. When monsters appear from the west and north, report immediately.”

“Alright.”

Park Geon-ho’s reply with a smile came from behind. Were you watching… My face turned red with shame.

“Well, then.” Cheon Sa-yeon swung his sword lightly. “Let’s see how good our handsome Yi-gyeol’s skills are.”

“…what’s with that creepy way of saying my name?”

I was fed up and used my powers. A light wind gently wrapped around Cheon Sa-yeon who was hugging me. Cheon Sa-yeon flew straight forward and swung his sword.

Kkyeeek! Kyaak!

Hot flames moved according to the sword’s trajectory, sparks and ashes were scattered randomly. Five monsters that were about to attack the pale-faced guild member were instantly engulfed in flames and turned into ashes with one attack by Cheon Sa-yeon.

Tak, the strength of the wind was increased a little more in line with the movement of Cheon Sa-yeon who jumped off the ground. Cheon Sa-yeon started to deal with the monsters in the east in an instant while the falling speed slowed.

Watching the monsters writhing with their bodies on fire, I grabbed the jacket that covered my body. As strong as Cheon Sa-yeon’s ability was, it was too dangerous for me, an A-rank.

Cheon Sa-yeon, who lightly turned around to avoid the monsters that rushed from above his head, slashed his sword from the top to the right. The monster was cut by the sword and the monsters next to it all burned.

Even the monsters S-rank Park Geon-ho had difficulty with died with a scream every time he swung his sword. I could feel the difference in grade with my skin.

With his superior physical abilities combined with his strength, Cheon Sa-yeon swept through the battlefield without hesitation. Cheon Sa-yeon, who was excitedly swinging his sword and slicing monsters, said with rare joy, “It’s quite useful.”

Cheon Sa-yeon hugged me tighter.

“Let’s go a bit more wild, Han Yi-gyeol.”

“What… ah!”

I groaned at the ever-increasing heat. The flames surrounding the sword became redder and something muddy dripped down.

“Wrap my fire with the wind.”

He used his powers towards the roaring fire that seemed to burn his body. A dull pain swept through my head as the energy that escaped doubled.

“Move your powers to make the fire spread farther at the right time I swing it.”

“Wait. It’s hard to keep up even now, how can I…”

“You can do it.”

After those words, Cheon Sa-yeon moved again. He bent his waist to avoid the attack of the southern monster rushing toward us with its black mouth wide open and he swung the sword strongly sideways. The fire attached itself to its gigantic body, quickly burning the flesh as it spread throughout the body. With the sound of something tearing apart, blood burst out and wet our clothes.

I focused my mind on every movement of Cheon Sa-yeon. The steps he took, the direction of his upper body, and the aim of the tip of the sword. It wrapped everything in the wind and moved the wind to handle monsters faster and more accurately.

“Hah, hah…”

When I used my ability like water, I became more and more suffocated and my breathing became unstable. My head, which used to hurt like being stabbed by a needle, was now like being hit with a hammer.

I clenched my teeth and rested my head on Cheon Sa-yeon’s shoulder. My body, which had not been able to rest for a while, cried out for rest.

Behind Cheon Sa-yeon’s back, the corpses and ashes of numerous monsters were seen. The number of living monsters was noticeably reduced.

Kugugugung!

As soon as I thought we were done, the earth trembled terribly. Park Geon-ho, who knew the cause of the trembling, was the first to shout.

“More to the west and north!”

The monsters that had been hiding in the sand had arrived. Monsters crawling out of the sand while moving their numerous legs came rushing towards this side. The guild members in charge of the south and the east, which were neatly organized, moved quickly.

“Disgusting…” I murmured unconsciously as I looked at the northern monsters I encountered again. I’m sick and tired, but I have to deal with giant bugs.

“Close your eyes,” Cheon Sa-yeon said with a smile. If only I could.

“I have to look to get the timing right…”

It was hard to speak loudly. I couldn’t bother with honorifics. I blinked, feeling a cold sweat running down my cheeks.

“Close your eyes and do whatever you want. I’ll figure it out.”

Cheon Sa-yeon swung his legs and slashed the running monsters effortlessly. I closed my eyes for the last time.

Proofread by Ciao Ciao.

Ciao Ciao: Oh? What nice imagery….. If we take out the huge bugs.

Rin: IMAGINE THE CHEON SA-YEON WHISPERED RIGHT INTO YOUR EARS WITH THAT GENTLE VOICE WHILE HUGGING YOU TIGHTER–!! I CAN’T–!! (ﾉ≧∇≦)ﾉ ﾐ ┻━┻

My God, my ears feel itchy…

Please if you don’t want to, replace with me, Yigyeol-ah!! (≧▽≦) *Slapped